The year in review

NEW SOUTH WALES

Upgrade of Drainage and Irrigation: Sydney War Cemetery
Wetting Agents
Plaque Refurbishment
Headstone Replacement

Upgrade of Drainage and Irrigation: Sydney War Cemetery

Over the last few years problems were developing in areas of the Sydney War Cemetery due to the poor and inadequate drainage affecting the horticultural and structural standards. After medium to heavy rains, water would often pool around headstones and lie on top of turfed areas.

A series of slit drain lines, laid with continuous plastic piping, covered with washed river gravel, followed by a layer of coarse drainage sand, were installed throughout the turfed area of the cemetery The lines, laid out in grid formation to ensure even and systematic draining from the highest points of the site through to the exit drains, fed directly into the local stormwater system.

In conjunction with the drainage project, a new irrigation system to ensure good, even water coverage to maximise turf and horticultural quality throughout the cemetery, was designed and installed.

	Topdressing of lawn, Sydney War Cemetery

Wetting Agents

As drought has affected a majority of NSW this year, staff looked at ways to minimise water usage at sites across the state. A good coverage of mulch to all garden beds was instigated and granular wetting agents incorporated into all the garden beds and turf profiles.

Plaque Refurbishment

Staff commitment to bronze plaque treatment has continued over the last year with plaques in the Illawarra district, Macquarie Park, Botany and Sandgate cemeteries being refurbished. The project will continue over the next twelve months, with cemeteries in the harsher coastal zones that are influenced by salt spray, humidity and high rainfall being a priority.

Headstone Replacement

Six badly weathered and discoloured headstones have been replaced in the Sydney War Cemetery in the past twelve months. Staff have trialled a new product, Silicone 18 (silicone based water repellent), which is expected to minimise water leaching into the stone. All parts of the headstone that sit below ground level were treated and the headstones will be monitored to assess the effectiveness of the product.

I wish to thank OAWG for sending the photographs of the plaque erected to my late father in the Garden of Remembrance NSW. Perhaps one day I will be able to visit Rookwood and see this memorial garden, but if not, I shall treasure these photographs. Thank you for your courtesy and kindness.

On Sunday, the anniversary of my husband’s death we visited the Garden of Remembrance at Rookwood. I would like to say how wonderful the garden was with lovely flowers and lawns and all wonderfully kept. Thanks to your letter we had no trouble finding the plaque and my children were very happy with the arrangement. As my husband was cremated there is no headstone so there will be nowhere for my family to trace in future years but this will be a wonderful piece of history. My husband was 90 when he died and had a wonderful life and towards the end the DVA were very helpful — couldn’t have been kinder. When overseas we visited a war grave in a small village in France. Found rows of graves from WWI which had also been beautifully looked after.